While estimates vary, between a third and a half of all children born in the past decade will experience living apart from one of their parents. This shift in family structure forces both the child and the noncustodial parent to make adjustments and develop new strategies to maintain their relationship. This study surveyed the policies of school districts of a midwestern state to determine their stated or implied practices concerning the noncustodial parent. Interview questions asked 77 school districts to reveal their policies for involving noncustodial parents in the educational program of their children, especially with those children experiencing academic problems. Results suggest that in almost one-half of the school districts surveyed, noncustodial parents are excluded from the educational process. A large percentage of school districts did not collect identifying information concerning noncustodial parents and the majority implemented their practices regarding noncustodial parents without written policy guidelines. The argument made by some school districts in support of their policies was that it was the responsibility of the custodial parent to share school information with the noncustodial parent. Another reason used by some districts was that information could be conveyed to the noncustodial parent by the child. Suggestions are offered to assist school districts in developing more innovative practices enabling them to take a leadership role in serving nontraditional families. (LLL)